The dream is over for Stronstad after a heart breaking 6-4 loss after extra time against a fitter Newtown Athletics team but it could have been different if key players were available for this game.
After two attempts to play the game in Portsmouth it was switched to Southampton and it was another road trip for Stronstad who were one win away from making it to the Quarter Finals for the first time in their history.
Newtown Athletics looked the more dangerous in the opening few minutes of the game as Stronstad struggled to get back into match action after a long lay off.
I know this is a controversial statement but Stronstad’s cause was not helped by some of Newtown’s players trying to get some of Stronstad’s players booked for perfectly normal tackles that would be allowed in the Portsmouth Sunday league.
Stronstad were chasing a fitter Newtown team but stunned the home side with a goal from their very first attack of the game and of the year.
James Clarke was released down the right and he got into the area and from the bye-line he pulled the ball back for Robert Pearson to fire a low shot past the Newtown keeper to give Stronstad a 1-0 lead.
The game was starting to get scrappy as some of the Newtown players going to ground too easily and this was starting to annoy Stronstad who were still trying to get back into the full swing of things.
Newtown had wasted a few clear cut chances but they did pull a goal back after Stronstad failed to close down the Newtown danger man and he fizzed a shot that had Ian Privett diving full length but he could only push the ball onto the post and the ball rolled into the net for 1-1.
Things then started to fall apart for Stronstad as they then gifted Newtown another goal. A long punt up to the half way line saw Rod Robertson getting ready to contest the header but centre back Jorge Morrison-Cooke came steaming out of defence and missed the ball which allowed the Newtown player to stride forward before blasting past Ian Privett to make the score 2-1 to Newtown
This raised Newtown as they continued to create more goal scoring chances but at the other end there was controversy as Robert Pearson beat his marker and was heading towards goal before being stopped by the last defender who pulled Robert Pearson. The referee awarded Stronstad a free kick but failed to punish the defender.
Newtown then scored a 3rd goal as a defensive mix up at the back saw the Newtown player beat Ian Privett to put the game to bed and put Newtown into the Quarter Finals
But to there credit Stronstad kept going and were awarded a life line as Robert Pearson powered into the box and was tripped in the box for a penalty to Stronstad. Up stepped Pearson who fired the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 3-2 to Newtown and it was game on.
The definitely lifted Stronstad who then managed to score a 3rd goal towards the end of the half as the dangerous James Clarke powered into the Newtown penalty area but his low drive was saved by the Newtown keeper it fell to Robert Pearson to bang the ball home to complete a first half hat-trick and tie the ball game at 3-3.
Half Time Newtown Athletics 3 Stronstad Utd 3
In the second half it was the same again as the fitter Newtown Athletics players kept attacking Stronstad who were holding firm with Jeff Needham and Jorge Morrison-Cooke winning some important headers and with Jon Way and Adi Card stopping attacks down the wing it was anyone’s game.
In the opening 5 minutes a hard but far tackle he was booked for the tackle to be the first Stronstad player booked this season (Rod got booked in the same round last season)
Just like the first half Stronstad went 4-3 up as a long ball over the top of the Newtown defence saw Robert Pearson out muscle the Newtown centre defender before volleying home to get his 4th of the game and Stronstad’s 4th of the day.
The game again went scrappy as Newtown were going to ground easily and were not enjoying some good old fashion tackles and the next player to go in the book was Adi Card who went into a tackle from behind and was booked.
With time running out for Newtown then thought they had scored an equalizer but were denied by an offside flag. Then again they thought they had scored again after the Newtown player managed to lob Ian Privett but Jeff Needham managed to get back and clear the ball off the line to keep Stronstad in the game.
With 8 minutes left Newtown drew level after a long range shot swerved and then dipped under the despairing dive of Ian Privett and the ball went into the back of the net to make the score 4-4.
Stronstad almost won it with the last kick of the game as a free kick from Robert Pearson went inches wide of the bottom corner, which would have won the game.
Full Time Newtown Athletics 4 Stronstad Utd 4
In the first period of extra time Stronstad huffed and puffed as they tried to keep the Newtown attackers in check but yet more screaming and rolling around frustrated Stronstad and a Newtown player was lucky not to be red carded as he was out muscled by Jorge Morrison-Cooke who then kicked out at Jorge as he ran off.
Stronstad almost went 5-4 up as a quick throw in from Robert Pearson almost found James Clarke who failed to connect with the ball and the chance was missed.
Second Period of Extra Time
If it was not for Ian Privett I believe we would have been on the end of a heavier defeat but some great saves kept the scores level but he was powerless to do anything about Newtown’s killer goal. As the pacy Newtown player and Jorge Morrison-Cooke battled for the ball in the box the referee adjudged Jorge of pushing the Newtown player who went down like he had been shot. The penalty was converted and the game was lost.
With time running out Newtown got a 6th goal as Ian Privett first failed to claim the corner which then dropped to Jeff who in turned failed to clear and when he did clear the ball fell to the Newtown player who then blasted into the roof of the net to make the score 6-4.
Full Time Newtown Athletics 6 Stronstad Utd 4
It was a bitter pill to take as Stronstad were getting frustrated with the play acting and some of the Newtown players trying to get Stronstad players booked but never the less it was a hard game and it was fitness that got Newtown through the game to take their place in the quarter Finals
